What is Baker's Game?
Baker's Game looks just like FreeCell, but one small rule change turns up the difficulty in a big way.
The one rule that changes everything
Setup is identical to FreeCell: eight columns dealt face up, four free cells, and foundations built up by suit from Ace to King. The difference is in the columns. In FreeCell you build down in alternating colors; in Baker's Game you build down in the same suit, so the six of spades only goes on the seven of spades.
Why it is harder
Matching by suit is far more restrictive than matching by color, because half as many cards can legally stack. Runs are shorter and harder to build, so free cells and empty columns matter even more. Players who have mastered FreeCell often turn here for a stiffer test.
A bit of history
The game is named after C. L. Baker, who described a same-suit version that actually inspired the modern game. If you enjoy it, the related same-suit games Eight Off and Seahaven Towers are natural next steps.
Related questions
What is FreeCell?
FreeCell is a solitaire game played with one 52-card deck dealt face up into eight columns. You have four free cells - open spaces that each hold a single card - and the goal is to build all four suits up from Ace to King on the foundations. Because every card is visible from the start, FreeCell is almost pure strategy.
What is Eight Off?
Eight Off is a FreeCell-style game with eight free cells instead of four, and six of those cells already hold a card when you deal. You build down in the same suit within the columns, and only Kings can move into an empty column. The extra cells make it more forgiving than it first looks.
What is Seahaven Towers?
Seahaven Towers deals all 52 cards into ten columns and gives you four free cells, two of which start filled. You build down in the same suit, and only Kings can be placed into an empty column. The wider layout and same-suit rule make it a tough, satisfying variant.